Shoe construction



Aug. 17, 1943. J. H. SLATER SHOE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 18, 194i 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 5 Jaw/44ml BY A Z A TTORNE Aug. 17, 19 3 J. H. SLATER SHOE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 18, 1941 INVENTOR. 62 A 75 ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 17, 1943 2,327,322 silo]; co mem- V John Harold Slater, York, N. Application November 18, 194i, SerialNo. 419,535 2 Claims. 1. 364-115) I This invention'relates to. shoes, slippers and the like. l

One, of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a shoe, slipper or thelike, that can be formed without the necessity of using a last and which will maintain its shape under normal wearing conditions.

Another object is to provide a shoe or slipper having a frame that will partially incase and grip the foot of the wearer with a minimum of confinement and still afford ample protection against injury.

A further object is to provide a shoe that will eliminate spreading of the upper over the insole, which usually results in stretching of and damage to the fibres.

Still a further object is to provide a shoe construction in which the curvature of the sole of the shoe may be controlled by the side wall frame.

' Other objects and advantages inherent in the invention will become apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment, together with possible modifications.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a slipper according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view; I

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3 of a modification; V

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of another modification;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of still another modification;

Figure '7 is a section taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 6; 7

Figures 8 to 10 are fragmentary views of other modifications.

In terms of broad inclusion, the invention contemplates a shoe construction having a vamp )frame of substantially resilient material having a degree of rigidity, extending upwardly from the in-sole at least in the forepart of the shoe and which frame has an inward lean whereby a' resilient material having a degree of rigidityand' extends upwardly at a slant from the in-sole. The slant or inward lean may be caused by the bevelling of the outer edges of the'in-sole, as

-' shownin'Figure 4 -of the drawings, and then pulling 'tl1e vamp frame about the beveled edge and cementing it or otherwise securing it thereto. The vamp frame 13 consists preferably of a curved or horse shoe shaped strip of material so that when the same is attached adjacent one of its longitudinal edges about the beveled edge of the in-sole l0, it will have an inward slant. It

thus will grip the foot of the wearer firmly.

The vamp frame [3 is preferably made of an inner core [4 consisting of some rubberized material and corkor some other suitable composition. The inner face of core i4 is covered with vamp frame, the curvature of the sole of the shoe can be controlled. Obviously, the shorter the upper longitudinal edge of the vamp frame member' relative to the lower longitudinal edge, the greater a curve the shoe sole will have. The tensioning or shortening of the upper edge of the vamp frame [3 may be accomplished by pulling it downwardly towards the bottom edge and fastening it to the in-sole.

' If desired, the heel portion of the shoe may be provided with a frame l8, similar to the frame [3. This frame also has the characteristic inward lean sufficient to grip the heel of the wearer.

Figure 4 shows a different form of attaching the vamp frame member l3 to the in-sole. In this modification, vamp frame member I3 is fitted into a recess or channel l6 ofthe in-sole II. It will be understood that the inner wall of the recess is beveled so as to give the vamp the characteristi'c'inward lean or slant.

If desired, the frame member may be provided with a regular upper completely incasing the foot, as shown on Figure 5 of the drawings.

The modification illustrated in Figure 6 shows 'anuppers frame member l9 extending about the entire in-sole. A flat lid 28 is disposed over the forepart of the shoe and telescopes the uppers frame member I 9. The lid 20 thus constitutes the vamp and it may be cemented or otherwise attached to the side of the frame I9.

It will be seen from the drawings that the aforesaid shoe construction may be embodied in a great variety of styles, as exemplified in Figures 8 to 10, inclusive. In Figure 8, for instance, the lid or vamp 21 is held in place over the frame member IS by a strap 22 attached to the in-sole and pulled'through theslot 23 of the lid 2|. Figure 10 shows a pair of flaps 24 at opposite sides of the side wall member l9 and which are held in place by a ribbon 25 attached to the in-sole and pulled through the slots vr28.

The modification shown in Figure 9 simply has 7 a strap 21 across the forepart of the shoe.

It will be understood from this disclosure that- I the basic construction consisting of the uppers tending upwardly from said sole member at least in the forepart thereof, said frame consisting of a curved strip having an inward slant and forming a partial incasement for the foot of the 5 wearer, the upper free longitudinal edge of said strip being tensioned and attached to said sole member so as to impart to the sole an upward curvature when the shoe is off the foot whereby said frame will be tensioned about the foot when 10 the wearersweight is placed onsaid sole member.

'2. A shoe. comprising a sole member'oI leatherlike material, a self-sustaining frame extending upwardly from said sole member at least from the forepart thereof, said frame consisting of a frame mem er '9 may be used for a greativariety 1: curved strip, having an inward slant and formof styles. Thus the same basic shoe can be embodied in the various styles shown in Figures 6 to 10 of the drawings.

It will be understood that this disclosure. is I given by way of example only and not by'way 'of' limitation; v Theinvention; may: lend itself to a v variety of-expressions;within the scope of the ring a. partial. incasement for the foot of the wearer, the upper free longitudinal edge of said 1 stripzbeing tensioned and attached to said sole member so as to impart to the sole an upward 20 curvature when the shoe is off the foot, whereby said framewill;beitension'edlaboutthe footiwhen the Wearers weight is placed on said solezmemban and; further: footzsecuring; means; supported by saidiframeu .IQHN HARQIJDSLATER. 

